[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 43 (Thursday, April 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DARFUR PEACE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2006

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, our consideration today of the Darfur Peace 
and Accountability Act is long overdue, but it is more timely and 
urgent than ever.
  It has been nearly two years since this House recognized the 
atrocities in Darfur as genocide. In that time we have offered aid to 
refugees and support for peacekeeping activities. However, this is the 
first real legislative effort to enhance the U.S. response to this 
crisis. While I am pleased that we are acting, we should and could have 
done more sooner.
  H.R. 3127, authorizes tough sanctions against individuals responsible 
for the war crimes committed in Darfur. It imposes an embargo on 
Sudanese cargo ships and oil tankers, and strengthens the military arms 
embargo against the Sudanese government.
  The legislation will substantially improve our ability to provide 
protection for the more than 2 million vulnerable civilians displaced 
by the conflict. Specifically, it calls on NATO to expand and reinforce 
the African Union Mission in Sudan. It also advocates an initiative now 
underway at the Security Council to transition the African Union force 
into a UN sponsored peacekeeping operation.
  Sadly, as a recent Security Council assessment shows, the dire 
situation in Darfur is only deteriorating further. Relief organizations 
are being denied entry, supplies are being cut off and humanitarian 
missions are being attacked. Civilian populations and refugee camps 
remain unprotected and the murderous rampages of Jangaweed militias 
continue unchecked. There is little progress in peace negotiations.
  The transition to a UN led peacekeeping mission with greater 
resources and an expanded mandate is the only hope for improving the 
situation on the ground. Passage today of H.R. 3127 will add momentum 
to this effort.
  An end to the conflict in Darfur cannot be achieved without strong US 
leadership. We have a moral responsibility to intervene.
  I want to give credit to the activists across the country who have 
been the leading voices commanding our attention to this crisis. In 
classrooms, campuses, synagogues, churches, and communities across 
America there are so many who are deeply committed to making sure that 
those suffering in Darfur are not forgotten. At the end of the month, 
thousands will rally in Washington to call greater attention to the 
cause.
  I am especially proud that the University of California recently 
joined more than a dozen colleges around the country in divesting from 
companies that do business in Sudan. Similar efforts are being 
considered by a number of state legislatures and private pension plans. 
Congress and the Department of Treasury should lend their support to 
these efforts.
  Let us pledge that today is a new beginning in our fight for justice 
for the people of Darfur.




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